The high-voltage by-election to the Bijepur Assembly constituency in Bargarh district passed off almost peacefully on Saturday.
Basing on the bitter experience of past few days, the local administration took all precautionary measures to avert any possible untoward situation during the voting held at 281 booths under three blocks, Bijepur, Barpali and Gaisilet.
However, concerned citizens and political observers have been disheartened for a low rate of polling recorded on the day. By the end of polling, about 72 per cent voters exercised their franchise against 81.86 per cent in 2014 general elections. The Padmapur Sub-Collector-cum-Returning Officer o confirmed the figure.
Even if a low rate of voting recorded, yet interest in people in participation in voting was worth seeing. Young voters to old ones were seen standing in long queues at booths for hours. In some booths, polling was held even after 5 pm.
While, out of 281 booths, 155 booths were taken as most sensitive, heavy deployment of police personnel ensured a smooth election, barring a few sporadic incidents.
“We took all steps to see that the election passes off peacefully. Police forces also remained alert day in and day out as per the pre schedule,” said Bargarh district Collector Yamini Sarangi.
As a disciplinary action, Thikapali UP School Headmaster Bahadur Sahu was suspended for instigating some voters to vote for a particular party, informed the Collector.
Stating that the most important task before police is to curb post-election violence, SP JN Pankaj said, “Deployment of forces inside and outside the constituency will continue. No indiscipline will be tolerated. Police will remain vigilant round the clock and keep watch on persons with criminal records and creating political violence.”
After completion of voting, the fate of 13 candidates, including Rita Sahu of BJD, Pranaya Sahu of Congress and Ashok Panigrahi of BJP, have been sealed in EMVs.
Though polling was disrupted at a few booths for snags in the EVMs, it was all set right as new EVMs were put in place.